Most of Montana’s ski resorts plan to shut down lifts for the season in early April. And they don’t go quietly. In a state where the backcountry ski season can continue for another couple months, ski resorts tie on smash-bang endings for the 2011-12 season.

Lost Trail Powder Mountain leads the way with the first end-of-season bash. The annual Skiesta fires up crowds with pond skimming, big air, retro costumes, live music, a pig roast, and prizes on March 26. Pond skimming, where skiers or snowboarders attempt to skim across a pool of water without getting soaked, draws crowds to watch big water splats.

Showdown waits until closing day on April 7 to throw the big end-of-season event. The day includes a rail jam, but the mannequin jump is the big draw. Mannequins on skis fly off a jump with some exploding on impact.